NADRA – A silent Revolution

Dr. Kesir Bengali was briefing the media that the new democratic government will provide one thousand financial supports to over 3 million families monthly, under Benazir Income Support Program (BISP). We have collected data of these families from Nadra. As income wise data was not available to us, so we first saw who is illiterate and his children can’t study more then primary education. So we made this as our base for collecting data. Thus Nadra has another feather in the crown for providing reliable data for BISP.

I was thinking that a man like Begali can make the difference in this program which was a continuity of subsidy to poor people in a more organized way. This subsidy was initially provided to all Pakistanis from landlord to a labor. Let it end here as this was not a talking point today.

Last week I had the chance to visit the internally displaced persons of FATA and NWFP where military operation is being executed to secure the law and order situation. I saw some leaflet there which revealed the emergency relief to these families. In coordination with Nadra, BISP is also providing Rs. 1000/- to these displaced persons. Only women are entitled to collect the cheque through the post office at their tenet in the camp. I was wondering to see that Nadra has a new future plan for the applicants of BISP, which was very impressive for me.

The Nadra data will be helpful in making some concrete efforts to help and revive these poor families. The leaflet says that Umra and hajj, smart cards, health insurance and overseas employment opportunities will be provided to the applicants of Benazir Income Support Program (BISP). If this dream comes true then the fate of these people will be changed once they get any chance like overseas job. Other then this, these deprived people will have more responsible attitude towards our government.

One another thing which will be a key change when it will be completed by Nadra is the country wide network of E-sahulate centers. Theses centers are being opened in all rural and urban areas where internet is available. A matriculate qualified man or woman can apply for the said franchise against a payment of just Rs. 20,000/- In these centers customers are depositing utility bills, easy load, and verification of CNIC. This is not only modernizing the network of Nadra but also providing jobs to our educated youth.

More over utility bill payment has become more convenient and easy as theses stores or franchises are opened through out the day and till 11 pm in some areas. Now there is no needy to rush from office or stand in lengthy lines outside the banks. Just go to your nearest e-sahulate and pay your bill with utmost convenient. Then call to Nadra help line. (111-1000-786). The bill confirmation will be done through this call.

National Data Base & Registration Authority is the largest IT organization of Pakistan. During the last 5 years, this organization is expanding its operations from just issuance of Computerized Identity Card to so many other value added products. If Nadra continued its operation’s expansion, then it will be soon computerize more things in our country.

One of the things which we must be proud off is the outsourcing of Nadra services to other countries like Bangladesh, Nigeria. Through these types of contracts now Nadra is also earning the foreign exchange for the country.
What we expect from Nadra is now the reliable data on every thing, which will pave the way of our progress and prosperity with latest computerized services. I would like to share a personal experience of having a new CNIC 2 year ago. I was wonder that every step and every activity was so planned and disciplined that you can’t imagine it other then Nadra even now. That was the way which other should follow.

Nadra has a long way while reaching to this point. I remember that first time when Nadra starts it operation, there was blunders in CNICs. People were crying over the hell of Nadra and even some columns were written about poor performance of Nadra. Even one columnist called its poor performance due to feminine name. However, now we can see a different Nadra which could provide a base for vibrant and progressive Pakistan.

Now I would like to congratulate all the personalities who struggled a lot to build this vibrant organization in a country like Pakistan where many organization and department has the tale of failure and favoritism.